State senator's aide indicted on assault charges

By Spectrum News Staff
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February 9, 2018 @3:15 PM

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An aide for a state senator has been indicted for allegedly choking someone on three separate occasions.

Robert Nickol, 32 of Albany, has been charged for allegedly choking a victim three times over a three-year period. Police say Nickol first choked the victim at a home in Albany in 2015, and again as recently as last September. They say he also hit the victim in the face and struck the individual with a wire cord, causing injuries.

Nickol is currently employed as an aide to State Senator Bill Larkin. He pleaded not guilty to felony assault and strangulation charges.

"Senator Larkin acknowledges the very serious charges made against Mr. Nickol," a Larkin spokesman said in a statement. "As such, Mr. Nickol has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately, pending the outcome of this matter. The Senator continues to believe strongly in our criminal justice system and in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty."